Day 2: Laying it all out
October 28th, 2007Laying on the grass listening to Robert Randolph & The Family Band early on Sunday, I’m struck by how different the vibe seems to be on day two compared with day one. Where Saturday felt like a race against time, today is shaping up to be a lazy (not to mention hazy) experience.
Yesterday, we spent 12 hours rushing from stage to stage, making difficult choices between conflicting acts and feeling lucky to catch 20 minutes by a favorite band, some of whom had never played Las Vegas before. Today’s lineup hails heavily from the jam scene, and road warriors such as moe., Michael Franti and Umphrey’s McGee will likely inspire wild excitement only in the most fanatical of fans.
As for Randolph and his band, there’s no denying the group’s musical chops, or its leader’s charismatic stage presence. I just wish his songs felt like more than vehicles for extended improvisation, something only the Allmans-y “The March” accomplished among the tunes I heard.
